Invalid-bed.



Patented Nov. I9, |901. W. A. N N.

INVALID B (Application led Jan. 30, 1901.)

No. 686,83I.

(No Model.)

'N laf/'141511101114 A. 7.11:',

- 35 being shown in axial section.

UNiTED STI/USESA PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM A. NASON, OF ALGONQUI'N, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LYDIA A. GOODSON, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS.

INVALID-BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 686,831, dated November 19, 1901.

Application filed January 30, 1901. Serial No. 45,282. (No model.) i

To @ZZ whom, Vit may concern: A

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. NAsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Algonquin, in the county of McHenry and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvement-s in Invalid-Beds, of which the following is a specification, reference-being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

Io The purpose of this invention is to provide an invalid-bed with improved means for accommodating a bedridden patient and permitting surgical attention to such patient without the use of bed-pans or like appliances, which are otherwise necessary.

The invention consists of new and simplified means for operating a plug or closure in a mattress-aperture and for upholding a vessel in such aperture and withdrawing the same zo without disturbing the patient and of specific details of construction, which are set out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of an invalid-bed having my invention,

z5 the mattress-plug being shown in the aperture of the mattress and the vessel-carrier and vessel being out of operation. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section showing the mattressplug withdrawn and the vessel held in opera- 3o tive position by the carrier. Fig. Sis a transverse section at the line 3 3 on Fig. 2 omitting the vessel and carrier. Fig. 4: is a partlysectional detail elevation of the crank-shaft structure, each pivotal bearing or junction Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modified vessel-carrier. Fig. 6 is a detail elevation showing the pivot-bearing clamp applied to a cylindrical rail.

A is a mattress having an aperture d, adapt- 4o ed to be occupied by the plug A.

B represents the mattress-support, which is shown as a common form of woven-wire spring having an aperture corresponding to that of the mattress.

B B are the side rails of the mattress-supporting spring.

C is a support for the plug A', which is preferably made of perforated sheet metal rendered more rigid longitudinally by angle- 5o iron bars C C, the whole structure consisting of said plate and bars, constituting a fiat link which connects the wrists of cranked shafts, hereinafter described, by which the plug is operated. For convenience of construction and adaptation to beds of different Widths and having the aperture at dierent positions in the width I have shown these cranked shafts as made up of adjustable parts. The description of one ofthe cranked shafts will suffice for both. Each shaft con- 6o sists of two crank elements D D, which at one end are adapted to be journaled in line on opposite sides of the bed, the boss or hub D of each element constituting or representing the shaft proper, the boss D2 at the op- 65 posite end being apertured parallel to the shaft-axis to receive the adjustable wrist D3. Such wrist is a rod whose length is substantially the width of the narrowest bed to which the devicemay be-applied, the range 7o of adjustment which it may have in and through the boss D2 being from a short engagement sufficient to permit it to be secured by the set-screw d3 to a maximum protrusion through the boss which may be g not farther than the end of the boss D', this range of adjustment being at least half the difference between the width of the narrowest and widest bed to which said device may be applied, soV that by utilizing such adjust- A8o ment at both ends the device may be accommodated to beds from the widest to the narrowest. For the purpose of journaling the shafts at the hubsD D on suitablesupports I provide clipsE E,&c.,adapted to be clamped onto the side rails of the bed or lnattress-supporting spring, such clips having an inwardlyjutting stud E', which enters-the axial apertureinthe boss D', and so journals the crankshaft. Depending flanges of the angle-irons 9o which stiden the plug-supporting perforated plate are apertured to receive the crankwrists, and two clips E E are mounted on each side rail of the mattress-supporting y spring at the same distance apart as the apertures for the crank-wrists in said plug-supporting link, the corresponding clips on opposite side rails being of course mounted with the studs E', which constitute the journal-bearings of the cranked shafts, in line, xoo

respectively, and the four clips being mounted at such position on the rails with respect to the position of the aperture in the mattresssupport and mattress that when the cranked shafts thus constituted are rocked to swing up the plug supported on the link C said plug may enter and occupy the aperture. In order to make it practicable to get the opposite studs E' E' in line, notwithstanding the fact that the side rails B when of Wood are frequently warped and twisted more or less, I employ two screws e e in one of the forkarms of the clip E, which may be set so as to protrude diierent distances and impinge on the rail and bind the clip to it, with the studs projecting at the proper line. Only one screw need be used in the other forkarm of the clip. This feature of construction is shown in Fig. 4. The same expedient adapts the clip for fastening to a tubular side bar b', as seen in Fig. 6. In order to operate the cranked shaft, and thus carry the plug into and out of place, it is convenient to provide lever-arms for the rock-shafts other than Athe cranks, and since these lever-arms--or the shaft it is most convenient to form each of the cranks with such a lever-arm in addition to the crank proper, to which the wrist is attached, and I have shown the iitting which constitutes the crank made with such a lever-arm D4 rigid and integral with it. Such lever-arm for the purpose indicated preferably extends obliquely downward from the axis of the rock-shaft when the crank-arm is extended horizontally to uphold the plug, so that it is at an angle of from forty-five degrees to sixty degrees with the crank. inasmuch as the mattress as a Whole is usually provided with a spring-support, as shown, and yields to the Weight of the patient, it is important that the plug should be made similarly yielding when it is in position in the mattress-aperture, and in order to effect this result, since the plug is positively upheld by the cranked shafts described, these cranked shafts must in some manner be arranged to yield to any weight operating on the plug substantially as much as the mattress as a whole yields underthe same pressure. For this purpose I provide an extensible coiled spring G, which may be hooked onto the side rail of the mattress-supporting spring and at its lower end hooked onto a lever-arm D4, which may beprovided with a sidewardlyjutting stud d4 for that purpose. The spring should be disengageable at one end or the other in order to permit the rock-shaft to be operated to withdraw the plug. Most conveniently the spring is made to be disengaged from the lever, being left suspended from the rail, and a hook N, depending from the rail, engages the stud to hold the plug out of the way of the vessel.

Since the cranks D D are substantially horizontal and so are all in one plane and that the same plane as the link O when the plug is fully elevated, it is desirable to provide other connection between the two cranked shafts which shall be in a different plane at that stage. This is conveniently edected by providing a link F, connecting the lever-arms D4 at either side of the bed, such link being in length between centers of the pivotal connection equal to the distance between centers of the shaft journal-bearings E E', so that the link maintains at all stages a position parallel with the link C and the plug thereon and prevents any unequal rocking of the two shafts, which would cause or permit the plug to become otherwise than horizontal.

For the purpose of handling a vessel to accommodate the patient in lieu of bed-pan and for lifting it up into and holding it securely in the mattress-apertu re and for withdrawing it and carrying it out from under the bed I provide a lever H, fulcrumed at the universal joint h upon any fixed support, as upon the side rail of the mattress-supporting spring. This lever has one end extending out beyond the bed for convenience of operating, and the opposite end is bifurcated. The fork-arms H H have upwardly-open notches h h,which afford lodgment for the trunnions j j, with which the vessel K is provided, the provision for such trunnions being preferably made, as illustrated, by xing them to the flexible strap J,which is buckled or otherwise secured around the vessel, as near the upper margin as convenient. In lieu of this expedient a basket or sling J may be provided to hold the Vessel, the trunnionsj being fixed on the upper band .llo of such basket or sling. (See Fig. 5.) It will be seen that the vessel is suitably hung in the fork-arms while the lever is in position to permit this to be done conveniently and that the lever may then be operated to carry the vessel around under the bed and up into the aperture in the mattress. In order to dispense with the necessity for holding the vessel in place during use, as might be done, I provide a 'poke or stilt L,

`pivoted to the lever as near the point of support of the vessel thereon as convenient and of such length that when the foot of the stilt is on the floor, the vessel being upheld in the aperture of the mattress, the stilt is slightly inclined. With this construction when the attendant by depressing the outer end of the lever forces the vessel up firmly against the patient the poke or stilt assuming less and less inclined position as the vessel is elevated locks it up in the position to which it is thus lifted and holds it firmly. In order to lower the vessel notwithstanding this locking device, I connect to the stilt a cord or cable M,y which runs through suitable guide-eyes on the lever and extends down to a convenient position, where it may be pulled by the operator while holding the lever-handle, thus lifting one foot of the. stilt from the Hoor and IOO IIO

IZO

permitting the vessel to be lowered and swung out. The best position for pivoting the stilt is as near as possible to the trunnion-bearings, and I have therefore shown the stilt as forked at the upper end and spanning the vessel beneath its fork, being pivoted to the lever fork-arms, respectively, directly under the trunnion-bearings. It is also of some advantage to provide the stilt with more than a single foot, and particularly to provide it with two feet spread transversely to the length of the lever, and I have so shown it.

I claim- 1. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and its support correspondingly apertured, a pad adapted to serve as a plug to occupy the mattress-aperture, and a carrier for the same consisting of two cranked shafts having their journal-bearings fixed with respect to the mattress-support, the plug being pivotally mounted on the wrists or offset portions of the cranked shafts, and means for rocking one of such shafts and for locking the shafts in position in which they hold the plug in the aperture of the mattress.

2. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and its support, correspondingly apertured, a pad adapted to serve asa plug to occupy the mattress-aperture; a carrier for the same, comprising two cranked shafts, on whose wrists or offset portions the mattress-plug is pivotally mounted, and a link connecting the corresponding crank-arms of such cranked shafts, tocause the rocking movement of either shaft to be communicated tothe other, and means for locking the shafts in position at which they hold the plug in the mattress-aperture.

3. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured-mattress and its support having a corresponding aperture, two shafts having their journal-bearings fixed with respect to the mattresssupport at opposite sides of the bed, and crankedor odset intermediate their respective bearings, a plug, adapted to occupy the mattress-aperture, pivotally mounted on such offset portions so as to hold said portions apart a distance equal to the distance between the shafts, whereby the crank-arms operate in the rocking of the shaft to carry the plug with a parallel motion down out of and horizontally away from the aperture.

4. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertured, two parallel shafts journaled under the bed and olfset intermediate their bearings forming parallel crank-wrists, a link connecting said wrists, and a plug mounted on such link, adapted to occupy the mattress-aperture, and a spring for upholding the plug in the aperture.

5. In an invalid-bed, in coinbinationwith an apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertured, two parallel shafts journaled under the bed and offset intermediate their bearings forming parallel crank-wrists, a link connecting said wrists, and a plug mounted on such link, adapted to occupy the mattress-aperture, and a disengageable spring for upholding the plug in the aperture.

6. In an invalid-bed, in combination with anapertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertured, two parallel shafts having their journal-bearings fixed with respect to the mattress-support at opposite sides of the aperture, such shafts being cranked or offset intermediate their bearings, and a perforated plate pivotally connected to the cranks or odset portions and operating as a link to connect the same, and a plug mounted on such perforated plate, adapted to occupy the mattress-aperture, and means for upholding the cranks to hold the plug in the aperture.

7. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an'apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertured, two parallel shafts having journal-bearings fixed with respect to the mattress-support, both shafts eX- tending across the bed beyond the aperture toward the same end of the bed, such shafts being cranked or offset intermediate their bearings; alink connectingtheircrank-wrists or offset portions,and a plug mounted on such link adapted to occupy the mattress-aperture when said shafts are rocked to swing the cranks toward the aperture; and means for upholding their said crank-wrists at such positions.

IOO

s. In an invalid-beam combination with IIO equal to the distance between the shafts; and

a plug adapted to occupy the mattress-aperture, mounted on the wrists or offset portions of the crank-shafts and carried thereby as the shafts rock up into and down out of the mattress-aperture.

9. `In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertured, two parallel shafts extending across the bed and cranked or odset intermediate their ends at a position corresponding to that of the aperture, a link connecting the wrists or offset portions, substantially equalin length to the distance between the shafts; and a plug supported on such link, adapted to occupy the mattress aperture; one ofthe shafts having a lever-- arm toward one end; and aspring connected to the bed and to said lever-arm to uphold the plug in the mattress, and disengageable'at one of said engagements to permit the plug to be lowered by rocking said shafts.

buf

10. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertured, two cranked shafts comprising cranks and lever-arms,each apertured at one end to receive the wrist portion of the crank-shaft and adapted at the other end to be journaled parallel to such wrists; clips adapted to be secured to the side rails of the bed or mattress support, and having suitable journal-bearings for said cranks; the crank-wrist portions consisting of rods adjustably extended through such apertures, and means for securing them therein; and a plug adapted to occupy the mattress aperture, mounted on such wrists, and suitable means for spacing the wrists a distance substantially equal to the distance between the journal-bearings of the cranks on the clips.

11. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an' apertured mattress and its support, the cranked rock-shafts and the plug carried .thereby into the mattress-aperture, clips having journal-bearings for the cranked shafts, adapted to be secured to the side rails of the bed or mattress support, and for that purpose comprising lateral projections adapted to extend above and below the rail; set-screws set through such projections, to impinge upon the rail above and below the same, one of such projections having two set-screws in positions to impingetupon the rail at dierent points in its width, whereby the clip may be adjusted to vary the direction of the axis of the j0urnal-bearings, so that opposite journal-bearings may be adjusted in line.

12. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support, correspondingly apertured, a vessel adapted to be inserted into the aperture having trunnions at opposite sides, a lever and a universal joint by means of which it is pivoted on the bed or mattress support, such lever having a forked terminal whose fork-arms aord pivotal trunnions for the vessel.

13. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the.

same correspondingly apertured, a vessel adapted to be entered in the aperture and provided with opposite trunnions, a lever fulcrumed on the bed or mattress support, and having forked terminal whose fork-arms afford pivotal bearings for the trunnions of the vessel, and a poke or stilt pivoted to the lever and adapted to rest upon the floor in slightlyinclined position when the vessel is inserted in the aperture of the mattress, whereby such poke or stilt serves to uphold the vessel at varying heights within a limited range of adj ustment.

14. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertured, a vessel adapted to be entered in the aperture and provided With opposite trunnions, a lever fulcrumed on the bed or mattress support, and

having forked terminal whose fork-arms afford pivotal bearings for the trunnions of the vessel, and a poke or stilt pivoted to the lever and terminating at the lower end in two feet, spread transversely to the direction of the lever, such poke or stilt being of such length as to stand slightly inclined when the vessel is upheld in the aperture of the mattress.

15. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertured, a vessel adapted to be entered in the aperture and provided with opposite trunnions, a lever fulcrumed on the bed or mattress support, and having forked terminal whose fork-arms afford pivotal bearings for the trunnions of the vessel, and a poke or stilt bifurcated at the upper end to span the vessel from below, and having its arms pivoted to the fork-arms of the lever respectively, and of such length as to stand slightly inclined when the vessel is upheld in the aperture of the mattress.

16. In combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertu red, a vessel adapted to enter the aperture having` opposite trunnions; a lever fulcrumed on the bed or mattress support and bifurcated at one end, and having its forkarms provided with notches open in direction to afford lodgment for the vessel-trunnions; said lever having universal-joint connection at its fulcrum, whereby it is adapted to carry the vessel up into the aperture and down out of the same, and thence laterally from under the bed.

17. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly apertured, a vessel adapted to enter the aperture and provided with opposite trunnions; a forked lever having its fork-arms provided with bearings for the trunnions, said lever being fulcrumed on the bed or mattress support; a poke or stilt pivoted to the lever and adapted to rest its foot upon the floor and stand slightly inclined when the vessel is upheld in the aperture, and connection from the said stilt, suitably guided on the lever, by which the foot of the stilt may be lifted to permit the vessel to be lowered.

18. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the same, correspondingly apertured, a plug for closing the aperture and means for operating the plug to insert andwithdraw it, consisting of parallel cranked shafts journaled underneath the mattress-support, having the plug mounted on the crank-wrists or offset portions, such wrists consisting of rods adjust ably secured in the crankarms, to permit the latter to be spread and approached to adapt the structure to beds of different widths.

19. In an invalid-bed, in combination with an apertured mattress and a support for the same correspondingly'apertured, a plug for closing the aperture, and means for operating IOO IIO

the plug to insert and Withdraw it, consisting my name, at Chicago, Illinois, in the presence of parallel cranked shafts jourualed under of two Witnesses, this 25th day of January, xo neath the mattress-support; a link conneot- A. D. 1901.` ing the wrists or offset portions, and arranged 5 to carry the plug, such link being laterally WILLIAM A' NASON movable on the crank-Wrist, and adjustable In presence ofstops on the Wrist to retain it as adjusted. LYDIA A. GOODSON, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set CHARLES C. NAsoN. 

